FURIOUS Paul McCartney has hit back at his wife's critics for the first time.

He broke his silence after Heather Mills McCartney was branded a controlling "gold digger" and "wicked stepmother" to his children.

Sir Paul said he was appalled by claims that losing a leg in a motorcycle accident had HELPED model Heather's desire for self publicity.

The ex Beatle, whose countless hits include Let It Be, said yesterday: "It hurts me to see her wounded by these scurrilous reports and not have anyone to put the record straight."

He rubbished claims that she influenced him on everything from hair dye, quiz appearances and even plastic surgery.

And he dismissed rumours of a rift with his children saying they all "get on great" with his 36-year-old second wife.

In a message on Heather's website, Paul wrote: "Imagine losing a leg, and dealing with it as bravely as Heather has done and having to read that on top of it!

"She was always reported to be clinging to me, the inference being that she was too possessive. Never mind the fact that I love her holding my arm, the truth is that a floor or pavement can be dangerous for an amputee to walk on, and a little help from a friend can sometimes be appreciated."

Heather's sister and manager Fiona also hit out in a bid to "set the record straight" about the ex model turned landmines campaigner.

Fiona said: "I find it almost impossible to put into words for you all just how angry and hurt I am by the treatment Heather has received from the media since she met and fell in love with Paul in 1999."

She was "angered" and "disgusted" by accusations that her sister benefited from the horrific crash in 1993 which left her close to death four times.

Fiona added: "I witnessed at first hand the pain my sister went through for months after her accident.

"All this stuff is so easy to make up: Younger woman marries rich, successful family man - she must be a gold digger, a wicked stepmother, seeking publicity, blah, blah.

"It's just so easy to do, and it is such lazy journalism."

In response to claims he dyed his hair, Sir Paul added: "It's my hair, and if you don't like the result I'm afraid it's just too bad. It's certainly nothing Heather suggested.

"I was engaged in this devilish practice years before I met her."

He dismissed claims that Heather had forced him to appear on Celebrity Who Wants To Be A Millionaire as "an insult to my intelligence".

He added: "Anything we attend is a joint decision. We hardly go to anything unless it's connected with our charity work."

And on claims Heather made him have plastic surgery, Macca said: "Now the truth, honest guvner, is that I haven't had any done."